Search and replace text in a file with fuzzy matching fallback. Shows diff preview when exact match fails. Use expectedReplacements to control how many occurrences to replace. Use dryRun=true for preview only.
AI agents use edit_block to create or update resources in OODA Computer Control — usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your OODA Computer Control environment.
This tool creates or modifies data reversibly by editing file contents through text replacement. While it can cause significant harm if an AI agent targets critical system files or application configs, the changes are theoretically reversible (via backups or version control) and do not permanently destroy data or execute arbitrary code.
From the tool's definition Tool description states it "Search and replace text in a file" and "expectedReplacements to control how many occurrences to replace," which modifies file contents reversibly.
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access edit_block gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and OODA Computer Control, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for edit_block:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"edit_block": {
"limits": [
{
"counter": "edit_block_rate",
"window": "minute",
"max": 30,
"scope": "grant"
}
]
}
}
}edit_block stays usable, but capped — an agent stuck in a loop can't make hundreds of changes a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
Free to start. No card required.
Search and replace text in a file with fuzzy matching fallback. Shows diff preview when exact match fails. Use expectedReplacements to control how many occurrences to replace. Use dryRun=true for preview only. It is categorised as a Write tool in the OODA Computer Control MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.
Register the OODA Computer Control MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for edit_block: allow, deny, rate-limit, or require approval. Point your MCP client at the PolicyLayer proxy URL and the rule is enforced on every call, before it reaches OODA Computer Control. Nothing to install.
edit_block is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the edit_block rule in your PolicyLayer policy. For example, setting max: 10 and window: 60 limits the tool to 10 calls per minute. Rate limits are tracked per agent session and reset automatically.
Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for edit_block. The AI agent will receive a policy violation error and cannot call the tool. You can also include a reason field to explain why the tool is blocked.
edit_block is provided by the OODA Computer Control MCP server (mnehmos/mnehmos.ooda.mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Start from OODA Computer Control, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.
Free to start. No card required.
99 OODA Computer Control tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.